An Open-label, Phase 1 Dose-finding Study of Single-agent IMU-935, a Novel RORγ/RORγt Inverse Agonist, in Patients with Progressive Metastatic Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Clinical Trial
Abstract: BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor gamma (RORγ) is frequently overexpressed in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) and, together with retinoic acid-related orphan receptor gamma t (RORγt), can increase androgen receptor (AR) signalling and promote a proinflammatory tumour microenvironment. METHODS: In this phase 1 dose-finding study (NCT05124795), men with mCRPC received the oral RORγ/RORγt inverse agonist IMU-935 across three dose levels (150 mg, 300 mg, or 450 mg twice daily). The primary objective was to determine the recommended phase 2 dose according to a Bayesian optimal interval design. Key secondary endpoints included evaluation of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, as well as antitumour activity in terms of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), circulating tumour cells (CTCs), and responses according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours. KEY FINDINGS AND LIMITATIONS: Eighteen men received IMU-935. No dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) or any grade (G) ≥3 adverse events (AEs) were reported. The most common treatment-related AEs (TRAEs) were G1 nausea (n = 4; 22%) and G1 vomiting (n = 3; 17%). The only G2 TRAEs observed were anaemia (n = 2; 11%) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (n = 1; 6%). Overall, six men (33%) had a decrease in CTC level from ≥5 to <5 cells/7.5 ml, while one participant whose tumour had mismatch repair deficiency (MMRd) experienced a ≥50% decline in PSA and radiologically stable disease for >6 mo. The median time to PSA progression was 8 wk (range 2-36 wk), and median radiological progression-free survival was 11 wk (range 3.4-36 wk). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: IMU-935 was well tolerated with no DLTs. One participant with MMRd mCRPC experienced a PSA response. Overall, however, robust antitumour activity was not observed in this molecularly unselected cohort.
Source: European Urology Oncology
Authors: Rafael Grochot, Christina Guo, Suzanne Carreira, Mateus Crespo, Jon Welti, Susana Miranda, Ines Figueiredo, Claudia Bertan, Jan Rekowski, Wei Yuan, Nina Tunariu, Katarzyna Abramowicz, Ana Ferreira, Ruth Riisnaes, Antje Neeb, Bora Gurel, Maria de Los Dolores Fenor de la Maza, Khobe Chandran, Juliet Carmichael, Daniel Westaby, Hella Kohlhof, Adam Sharp, Alec Paschalis, Johann de Bono
Language: English
Subfield: Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,790
OpenAlex ID: W7135024530
